Heading east through The Dothraki Sea, Khal Drogo and his khalasar journey en masse. Viserys is journeying with the horde, in order to make sure Khal Drogo fulfills his end of the bargain. Ser Jorah Mormont explains to Viserys the reason for his own banishment, threat of execution by Ned Stark for selling poachers to slavers.

At WinterfellTyrion Lannister advises Joffrey Lannister to pay his respects to Bran Stark, now in a coma. When Joffrey refuses, Tyrion slaps him multiple times. After, Tyrion eats breakfeast with his siblings, passing on information that Bran may yet live. Cersei visits Bran’s bedside passing condolences to Catelyn, tearfully explaining how she lost her first son young.

Jaime Lannister taunts the bastard Jon Snow for wanting to take the black at the Night’s Watch for life. Farewells abound as Jon Snow leaves to the wall with Benjen and Tyrion, while Ned journeys south with his daughters and the King. Arya Stark is packing for her journey south to King’s Landing when Jon Snow presents her with Needle, a skinny castle-forged sword. Jon Snow bids farewell to Bran while Catelyn Stark stands watch, demanding Jon leave. Catelyn expresses her sorrow at Ned answering the call to honor. At the crossing of the Kingsroad, Ned promises to tell Jon what he wants to know about his mother at their next meeting.

News of Daenerys' wedding to a horselord reaches King Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark. King Robert becomes enraged and fearful of a returning Targaryen dynasty while Ned urges him to not carry out an assassination of young Daenerys.

Jon Snow begins to realize the Night’s Watch is not all he hoped, as some of its members are forcefully drawn from the ranks of criminals. Tyrion Lannister dispels more of Jon’s illusions about the nobility of taking the black. They form a strong bond; they are both outcasts from society. Jon admires Tyrion’s intelligence while Tyrion admires Jon’s bravery.

Back in WinterfellRobb Stark assumes many of his families responsibilities while Catelyn is grieving and most of the castle staff have gone south. During a fire which draws most people away, a hooded man appears to grant a “mercy” to Bran Stark. Catelyn attempts to fight off the man, slicing her hands down to the bone on his blade. As Catelyn falls to the ground, Bran’s direwolf Summer attacks the assassin and rips out his throat.

Tended by her handmaidens, Daenerys finds herself curious about dragons and the eggs gifted from Magsiter Illyrio. Her handmaiden Doreah agrees to teach Daenerys how to please her husband so she can gain his approval and respect. Using what she learned she forms an actual relationship with Khal Drogo, and their connection grows.

When Catelyn examines the tower from which Bran fell, she finds a long blond hair which confirms her suspicions Bran was thrown, and did not fall. The dagger that nearly took Bran’s life had an exquisite Valyrian steel blade, gold filigree, and a dragonbone hilt, too fine for a commoner. Catelyn prays for Bran to wake, and heads south with Ser Rodrik Cassel to inform Ned.

While the King’s entourage rest at the Inn at the Crossroads, Joffrey and Sansa take a walk along the river. Confronting the sparring Arya Stark and Mycah the butcher’s boy, Joffrey draws his sword and sadistically begins to cut him. Arya strikes him with a wooden sword and Joffrey attempts to kill her with his real sword. Provoked by his actions, Nymeria, Arya’s direwolf, tears into Joffrey’s wrist and knocks him to the ground. Sansa comforts Joffrey and catches a glimpse of Joffrey’s true cruel nature. Arya hides from the Queen’s soldiers and chases away Nymeria for her own safety. Once Arya is brought in front of the King and Queen, Joffrey publicly lies about what happened. Sansa claims forgetfulness and Cersei demands Arya be punished. Cersei wants Lady killed in Nymeria’s stead for the savaging of Joffrey. King Robert Baratheon caves in to Cersei, and sentences Lady to be executed. Ned Stark refuses to allow the Lannisters kill Lady and takes it upon himself to do it. As Ned is heading out, he sees The Hound, who rode down the running Mycah and killed him. As Lady dies, Bran opens his eyes and comes out of his coma.

Check out IGN's review of "The Kingsroad" here...

Let it be known that I'd give real money to watch Tyrion smack Prince Joffrey in the mouth one more time. Of course, I could just watch the entire scene on a loop. Yes, if you're looking for the "villain of the piece" this week, it's definitely Joffrey, who, simply put, is a cowardly, entitled...[more]